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Pilots’ union BALPA first issued calls for Britain to be turned into a “safe drone zone” four years ago. In April last year the group wrote to Mr Grayling demanding swift action and warning of “life-threatening” risks.

In July last year Gatwick was closed twice due to drones, and this year one came within 20ft of a plane.

A former Virgin Atlantic security boss said drones were favoured by terrorists abroad.

Andy Blackwell added: “I am concerned that because of the impact and publicity this has had that we will see copycat activity.”

In July last year Gatwick was closed twice due to drones, and this year one came within 20ft of a plane (Image: SWNS.com)

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The Aviation and Border Security conference in London last month discussed emerging threats from drones used by extremists and misguided hobbyists. But there was no intelligence to suggest anything like this was being planned.

Similarly, a risk assessment by the Civil Aviation Authority highlighted the danger of a drone hitting a plane – but didn’t mention closing an airport because of a deliberate, disruptive attack.

This episode illustrates the very real vulnerability of airports to drones and raises the spectre of copycats, terrorists and criminals launching further attacks.

So very real measures to mitigate the threat will now have to be taken.

Given the sheer size of an airport and that drones can top 40mph for over 30 minutes, the threat area is huge. And you can’t practically shoot them down or disable them electronically under current laws.